The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Anmi listened quietly, secretly wondering what Consort Rong meant by saying those words to her.

“Anmi, as you know, although I am favored by the Emperor, I have no powerful backing, unlike the Empress, who has the powerful Feng family supporting her. Even though she is no longer favored, she still holds the position of Empress and has a son who can compete for the throne!” Consort Rong narrowed her eyes as she spoke, as if she was thinking about something.

“Your Majesty, you are also carrying the Emperor’s child. It might be a prince. Then Your Majesty will have a son to rely on.” An Mi said. If Consort Rong had realized the Empress’s status and abilities earlier, she shouldn’t have been so arrogant and domineering. Instead, the Empress saw her as a thorn in her side and wished she could get rid of her as soon as possible.

Empress Feng wanted to get rid of Consort Rong, this thorn in her side, as soon as possible. Otherwise, she wouldn't have thought of using her!

The thought of Empress Feng's manipulation made An Mi feel somewhat displeased. She knew that she would make Empress Feng regret this manipulation sooner or later.

Consort Rong glanced at An Mi, whose composure made her frown, and continued, "An Mi, if it weren't for you, I would have been careless this time. After your reminder, I had the imperial physician check the room and they found some perfume containing musk. Hehe, it seems that someone really doesn't want me to carry the imperial child and give birth to the imperial prince."

An Mi frowned and did not reply. Consort Rong got up and walked to An Mi's side. "An Mi, the palace is not peaceful. I lack a clever and capable assistant by my side. If this continues, even if I am careful, I may not be able to protect the child in my womb."

"Your Majesty, the Emperor dotes on you greatly. If you were to ask him for a few clever and capable palace maids, it wouldn't be difficult." An Mi had already vaguely guessed Consort Rong's intentions. While surprised, she didn't expose her.

Consort Rong became agitated and actually knelt down in front of An Mi. An Mi was startled and quickly helped Consort Rong up, "Your Highness, what are you doing? You are of noble status and pregnant. How can you harm the child like this? You are making An Mi feel terrible!"

"No, Anmi, listen to me. I beg you for something. You must promise me. Please, for the sake of the child in my womb, help me. I need your help." Consort Rong looked at Anmi pleadingly, her face full of expectation. Through what had just happened, she knew that Anmi was perhaps more shrewd than any other woman in the harem, and at this moment, what she needed was a clever woman like Anmi.

"Your Highness, what are you saying? Anmi doesn't understand. Anmi is just a lowly embroiderer. How could I possibly help Your Highness?" Anmi lowered her brows. Seeing that Consort Rong was not getting up, she did not try to help her up. This Consort Rong was giving Anmi far too much credit.

However, Consort Rong was determined to get An Mi's help, so she wouldn't give up easily. Consort Rong actually grabbed An Mi's hand and said, "No, although you are new to the palace, you have the ability. As long as you are willing, you can definitely help me."

"Your Majesty is too kind to Anmi." Anmi frowned. "Your Majesty, please get up quickly. You are making things difficult for Anmi and also harming your own health. If it hurts the little prince in your womb..."

Consort Rong's expression changed. How could she not cherish her own body? "So you agree to help me?"

"What can I do?" Anmi asked calmly.

Consort Rong was secretly delighted. "Don't you often go to the Empress's palace? You just need to keep an eye on what's going on with the Empress and occasionally give me some advice."

Is it really that simple? If it were, Consort Rong wouldn't have been so willing to kneel before her.

“Your Majesty, Anmi is ultimately not a member of this palace. Once the Ghost Festival is over, Anmi will retire gracefully. I hope Your Majesty will understand Anmi’s difficulties.” Anmi went to help Consort Rong again, and this time Consort Rong did not refuse.

"It's alright, it's alright. I will definitely not make things difficult for you. Once the Ghost Festival is over, I may be able to come up with a better way to protect myself." Consort Rong took An Mi's hand and helped her sit down. Her smile was full of gratitude and could not be more sincere.

An Mi thought of the peerless woman named Yunxiu, then looked at Consort Rong and couldn't help but say, "Consort Rong, if you are more reserved in your dealings with others and befriend the other concubines, including the Empress, it will be beneficial for both yourself and the prince in your womb."

After the Ghost Festival, the Emperor's most favored woman will no longer be Consort Rong. At that time, the other concubines will inevitably make sarcastic remarks. But at least she is pregnant with the Emperor's child, so even if she is no longer the Emperor's first choice, she will still have some status in the Emperor's heart.

“Anmi is right. I will be more careful in the future,” Consort Rong replied. After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Anmi took her leave.

After An Mi left, Consort Rong's smile gradually faded. She placed her hand on her lower abdomen and said softly, "The Ghost Festival? After the Ghost Festival, I will have my own way of keeping her here!"

"Your Majesty, do you want to..." Xinrou, the personal maid, asked in confusion.

Consort Rong glanced at Xinrou and said with a half-smile, "This Anmi is indeed somewhat different. I have taken a liking to her, so naturally she has no choice. Tell me, if she were to be in dire straits and I were to come to her rescue, would she still be as indifferent to me as she was just now? Hmph, I will make her willingly serve me with her life."

Xinrou was taken aback for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, what are you going to do?"

"Why are you asking so many questions? Listen to me, you are not allowed to let the news of my pregnancy leak out. Just do your job well. As for what I'm going to do, there will be a good show on the Ghost Festival." Consort Rong narrowed her eyes, calculating her plans in her mind, looking at her still flat belly: My child, your mother is pregnant with you for your sake, and your mother should plan carefully!

Xinrou looked at Consort Rong and slightly furrowed her brows. Consort Rong's unusual behavior seemed to be closely related to Anmi. It seemed that she should report this matter to her master.

"Yes, ma'am. I know what I should and shouldn't do."

"Very good." Consort Rong smiled with satisfaction. Thinking of An Mi's advice, from now on she would try to get along well with every concubine until no one could pose a threat to her!

There were still three days until the Ghost Festival, and things were peaceful in the palace.

Inside the palace villa, Feng Yu received a secret letter. After reading its contents, he couldn't help but smile slightly.

Seeing Feng Yu's expression, Yi Zhuxuan couldn't help but speculate about the contents of the secret letter. Although she was curious, she knew that she was not qualified to see the contents of the secret letter, and Feng Yu would not give her the opportunity to see it. Every time he read the secret letter, he would personally turn those few pages into ashes.